Acrylic glass shields with aerosol protective edge recommended by scientists
Best possible droplet/aerosol protection for schools, universities, offices, medical practices and businesses
Transparent protective screen with scientifically confirmed aerosol protective edge
Contagious viral diseases such as COVID-19 or influenza are transmitted via different infection routes. While in times of a pandemic mobile TAC V+ high-performance air purifiers provide a high level of protection against airborne infections caused by virus-laden aerosols, the unique acrylic glass shields with an aerosol protective edge reduce the direct risk of infection from larger droplets and smaller aerosol particles. Whenever people talk, learn or work together in a confined space and a minimum distance of 1.50 m cannot be maintained. For instance in the classroom, in the office, in a medical practice or in a retail store.
Two-sided protection against flying droplets and suspended aerosols
Unlike conventional “sneeze guards”, which only protect against larger droplets emitted when speaking, sneezing or coughing, the transparent acrylic glass panels with aerosol protective edge prevent tiny aerosols from overcoming the protective screen, even in case of close contact. Thus, the acrylic glass panels with aerosol protective edge offer protection against a droplet infection by the person sitting next to you or a person sitting or standing opposite. Furthermore, the all-round protective edge prevents an uncontrolled spread of the aerosol particles in other directions. Particles potentially carrying viruses remain behind the screen and mix with the air before being removed by a room air cleaner.
The acrylic glass panels with aerosol protective edge are suitable for the use:
- in schools – between pupils sitting next to each other and on the teacher’s desk
- in universities – between the students’ seats in the lecture hall or in seminar rooms
- in offices – between people working together or for workplaces opposite each other
- in workshops or production halls – between mechanics or production workers lined up at a workbench
- at sales counters, cash desks and at goods collection points in shops or pharmacies
- at customer counters at banks, insurance companies or public authorities
- between receptionist and customers at the reception or in a medical practice
- at the hotel reception at guest check-in as well as in spa and wellness areas
In combination with the high-performance air purifier TAC V+ or other suitable room air cleaners, a unique all-round protection can thus be realized for all persons in a room who interact with each other sitting or standing next to or opposite each other. Without the need to wear a mask or maintain larger distances. (However, the measures prescribed in the local hygiene concept apply with priority.)
More protection with all-round aerosol protective edge
Whether in a classroom, open-plan office, administration, medical practice or retail store – aerosols are mostly emitted to the front and, when wearing face masks, to the sides, but they also always rise upwards due to convection and thus easily overcome even high walls after a while.
Functional principle: Trotec protective screen WITH an all-round aerosol protective edge
The surrounding edge of the Trotec protective screen causes the aerosol particles ejected towards the screen when speaking, coughing or sneezing to be deflected at the acrylic glass shield and to flow radially outwards to the edge, where they are deflected again. The deflection at the edge creates a vortex that traps the aerosol particles in this area. Thermal lift is also reliably stopped by the protective edge. People sitting in the vicinity are much better protected from invisible aerosol particles.
Less protection without all-round aerosol protective edge
Transparent protective screens are nothing new. These dividers were already in use in food sales before the pandemic. However, they only served as so-called “sneeze guards” and not as an effective protection against aerosols.
Functional principle: Commercially available protective screen WITHOUT an all-round aerosol protective edge
In the case of acrylic glass panels without a surrounding edge, the aerosol particles can flow unhindered radially over the edges of the protective screen and even spread over a large area behind the acrylic glass panel. This way, aerosol particle clouds can also reach the breathing area of neighbouring or more distant people.
Conclusion: Only protective screens with an aerosol protective edge swirl the aerosol particle stream and thus prevent aerosols from overcoming the partition.
Functional principle of the acrylic glass shield with an all-round aerosol protective edge
The all-round aerosol protective edge of the acrylic glass shield from Trotec ensures that the aerosol particle stream swirls around the edge. As a result, the aerosol particles remain in the area of the infected person for a longer time and mix with the air before they are diluted and separated by the room air cleaner. When aerosol particles hit a protective screen that is NOT equipped with a protective edge, the particles will flow unhindered over the edge of the screen. This allows the potentially infectious aerosol particles to spread to the next row of tables.
Effectiveness of the aerosol protective edge scientifically proven
Commissioned by Trotec, the optimum combination of air cleaner and protective screens with an all-round aerosol protective edge has been intensively researched by Prof. Dr. Kähler at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics of the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich. In several studies, the renowned scientist has put forward specific recommendations on how to implement a high level of infection protection in schools and offices, for example.
To the study: “School education during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic – Which concept is reliable, feasible and environmentally sound?”
To the study: “Can mobile room air cleaners effectively reduce the risk of an indirect SARS-CoV-2 infection caused by aerosols?”
PRODUCT BROCHURE
Acrylic glass protective walls with a surrounding aerosol protective edge offer significantly better protection against direct infections than partition walls without an edge. You will find all information on the scientifically proven functional principle, on the various possible applications, installation situations and the model variants in the product brochure.
For offices, call centres and coworking spaces: protective screen with an all-round aerosol protective edge
Communication is just as important in everyday office life as personal exchange with customers at eye level. This is why Trotec has developed a protective acrylic glass shield with an all-round aerosol protective edge also for smaller offices, open-plan offices, call centres, consulting situations and reception counters. The protective screen separates people sitting or standing opposite or next to each other and, when used in combination with mobile air cleaners, improves protection against infections for all employees.
Improved protection against direct infections thanks to surrounding aerosol protective edge
With the protective screen, the people sitting opposite each other are better protected from direct infection through breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing than with face masks, surgical masks or cloth masks alone. The all-round aerosol protective edge of the shield prevents the aerosol particles emitted by the people from flowing around the protective screen towards the colleague or straight into the room. This aerosol protective edge is recommended by scientists and exclusively available at Trotec (registered as “Community (EU) design no. 008182745”). The protective screen is attached quickly, easily and securely in portrait or landscape format using two metal screw clamps. The two metal clamps included in the scope of delivery can be flexibly adjusted to typical tabletop thicknesses and ensure a secure hold. Holes integrated in the frame allow different fastening positions for the metal clamps.
Additional protection against direct infection – even without masks or minimum distance*
Offer your employees additional protection against direct infection even without protective masks. When used in combination with mobile high-performance air purifiers, the acrylic glass shield with aerosol protective edge provides optimum protection for people sitting opposite.
Rented commercial space is expensive. Therefore, every square metre of space is often utilised in offices, so that it is not always possible to maintain the minimum distance of 1.5 m. In such room situations, the protective screen with aerosol protective edge offers a high level of protection for employees at multi-person workstations. The Trotec protective screen with an all-round aerosol protective edge swirls and concentrates the aerosol particles emitted by the employees directly at their workplace. The aerosol protective edge prevents the aerosols from mixing before being removed from the air by a suitable room air cleaner.
Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommends protective screens at the workplace
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health published a new SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Rule on 20/08/2020. The rule presents measures for all areas of economic life to reduce the risk of infection for employees and keep it at a low level. The use of transparent protective screens is expressly recommended! Trotec’s protective screen with an all-round aerosol protective edge meets all technical requirements of this guideline. Source: GMBl 2020 page 484-495 (No. 24/2020 of 20/08/2020) Download SARS-CoV-2 Occupational Safety and Health Rule (PDF, 373 KB)
For counters and tables at the point of sale:
Countertop with aerosol protective edge
Protect yourself, your employees and customers from the very first contact with a stable countertop with all-round aerosol protective edge. The protective screen of high-quality acrylic glass exclusively made by Trotec ensures a high level of protection against larger droplets and small aerosols in personal customer contact.
The countertops available in three sizes are suitable for:
- Hotels (check-in, check-out, concierge service, spa, wellness)
- Medical practices (patient reception and appointment scheduling)
- Banks and insurance companies (customer counters, consulting rooms)
- Authorities (citizen information, advice centres, approvals)
- Law firms and notaries' offices (client reception)
- Sales/service (advice, cash desk, goods issue)
Such reception, consultation or counter areas are often the first point of contact for clients, patients and people who need information. This is where they are greeted, advised or served – and where the risk of infection by droplets and airborne aerosol particles is correspondingly high for the staff.
Crystal-clearly superior to conventional hygienic barriers
The Trotec protective screen with all-round aerosol protective edge swirls the aerosol particles and concentrates them in the area of the person emitting them. In comparison, with a protective screen without an edge, the aerosol particles spread unhindered and also reach the other side of the partition.
Extra safety for reception areas:
Countertop with an all-round aerosol protective edge
Especially for reception or consultation counters with an increased risk of infection, the visually attractive countertop with an all-round aerosol protective edge is a sensible alternative to the usually metre-high edgeless hygiene walls. With the protective screen with aerosol protective edge, both the staff behind the counter and the people in front of it are better protected against a direct infection than with conventional sneeze guards.
Uncomplicated installation, safe stand, high protection
While commercially available hygienic barriers reach almost to the ceiling to offer a certain protection against rising aerosols, the countertop with surrounding edge convinces with compact dimensions and quick readiness for use.
The countertops are available in the following sizes:
- SMALL (H: 750 x W: 595 mm)
- MEDIUM (H: 750 x W: 795 mm)
- LARGE (H: 750 x W: 995 mm)
The 26 cm wide and 12.5 cm high hatch enables an easy exchange of goods, money or documents – while at the same time a high level of protection against larger droplets and smaller aerosol particles is ensured
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Implementation of the hygiene concept in office spaces and at office workstations
When arranging the workstations, the minimum distances should be observed in order to achieve the best possible protection against a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The available space must be optimally used and the distances and walking routes adapted accordingly. If rooms are used by several people at the same time, ten square metres must be available for each person. The current occupational safety and health rules require that, if the minimum distances and occupation rules cannot be complied with, at least medical face masks are to be worn.
Positioning of acrylic glass partitions between the employees
The partitions with an all-round protective edge are installed between people sitting next to or opposite each other (fig. 1b).
Positioning of the TAC or AirgoClean® One high-performance air purifier
The air cleaner can be positioned anywhere in rooms sized up to 80 m². For larger rooms, the number of air cleaners has to be adapted to the room volume to be filtered. Due to their small dimensions and footprint, Trotec’s air cleaners for virus filtration do not affect business operations. The volumetric flow of the room air cleaner must be at least six times the room volume. Whenever required or after business hours, the volumetric flow of the device can be set to maximum output for a short time. Additionally, we recommend airing the room for a short time to reduce the CO2 concentration. Alternatively, the room can be aired during work breaks. This does not impair the filter performance of the air cleaner.
Implementation of the hygiene concept in the canteen
If possible, small tables should be avoided for lunch (fig. 2a). Instead, we recommend a setup with long tables with a sufficient distance between the people sitting opposite each other (fig. 2b).
Positioning of acrylic glass partitions between the people
Transparent protective screens with an all-round aerosol protective edge must be installed between the people eating. As an alternative, a row of tables can also be positioned against a wall.
Positioning of the TAC or AirgoClean® One high-performance air purifier
High-performance air purifiers are required to reduce the risk of indirect infections. Depending on the room situation and size, the use of several devices is recommended to ensure at least a 6-fold room air circulation per hour with highly efficient HEPA air purification in the entire catering area. People working at the serving counters must also be protected by partitions with an aerosol protective edge. Additionally, the staff working at the counters must wear FFP2/3 mask to protect both themselves and the employees to the greatest extent possible.
Installation in conference and meeting rooms or staff rooms
In conference and meeting rooms, a U-shaped arrangement of tables is recommended (see fig. 2).
Transparent protective screens with an all-round edge must be installed between the seats to minimize the risk of direct infections. The air cleaner should be positioned in the middle of the table arrangement to ensure optimum protection against an indirect infection. To improve the room air, the CO2 concentration should be permanently monitored with a particle measuring device BQ30 in order to supply outdoor air as required. Intense ventilation with a strong decrease in temperature is no longer necessary, since the viruses are removed by the air cleaner.
FFP2/3 masks must be worn on all corridors inside the building as these premises cannot be secured otherwise. Simple face masks and surgical masks do not provide sufficient protection against aerosols.
Implementation of the hygiene concept in the classroom
When arranging the desks, the minimum distances should be observed in order to achieve the best possible protection against a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The available space must be optimally used and the distances and walking routes adapted accordingly.
Positioning of acrylic glass partitions between the pupils
The partitions with an all-round protective edge are installed between pupils sitting next to each other (fig. 1b). If there is a sufficient distance of 1.5 m between the desks, the seats next to the walking routes do not have to be additionally secured with partitions.
Positioning of the TAC high-performance air purifier
The air cleaner should be positioned either at the front next to the board or centrally at the back. If the desks are arranged in a U-shape, the room air cleaner can also be positioned in the middle of the room. Due to its low height of 1.3 m, the TAC ensures a good view of the teacher and board even when placed centrally. The ceiling should be as smooth as possible in the area of the fan position. The volumetric flow of the room air cleaner must be at least six times the room volume. During the breaks, the volumetric flow should be set to maximum. Additionally, we recommend airing the room for a short time to reduce the CO2 concentration. Alternatively, a window can be left in the tilt position during the entire lesson. This does not impair the filter performance of the air cleaner.
For schools and classrooms:
Wearing a mask when seated is not necessary
Despite heated debates, wearing a mask is not yet mandatory for all pupils in primary and secondary schools throughout Germany. With Trotec’s protective screen, such an obligation will not have to be introduced in the future either!
The problem: Face coverings and surgical masks never fit tightly against the face. Therefore, aerosol particles flow out to the sides when breathing, speaking, coughing or sneezing. When pupils are sitting next to each other during the lesson and looking straight ahead at the teacher, the aerosol particles can be emitted directly to the left and right towards the person sitting next to them. Wearing protective masks therefore does not provide sufficient protection against aerosol particles escaping from the sides. (Here you can directly access the studies conducted by Prof. Dr. Kähler: “Flow analyses on the SARS-CoV-2 protective mask debate” and “Fundamental protective mechanisms of face masks against droplet infections”)
The solution: For this reason, Prof. Dr. Kähler, head of the Institute for Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics at the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Munich, has scientifically researched a hygiene concept for schools and offices developed by Trotec, which makes the wearing of masks unnecessary for pupils or employees sitting at the desk. Instead, the elaborated hygiene concept is based on a combination of mobile air cleaners and acrylic glass shields with a surrounding protective edge. If this hygiene concept is implemented correctly, the pupils would only have to wear a protective FFP2 or FFP3 mask when leaving the seat, but not when seated. (However, the measures prescribed in the local hygiene concept apply with priority.)
The acrylic glass shield with an all-round aerosol protective edge, specially developed for use in schools, is manufactured exclusively by Trotec. The crystal-clear protective screen reliably shields pupils sitting next to each other and improves protection against a direct infection by flying droplets – without obstructing the clear view of the teacher or blackboard. With the protective screen, the people sitting next to each other are better protected from direct infection through speaking, coughing or sneezing than with face masks, surgical masks or cloth masks.
Quality acrylic glass panels made in Germany
The aerosol protective edge that surrounds the panel made of high-quality RÖHM acrylic glass (registered as “Community (EU) design no. 008182745”.) limits the air flow and thus prevents the aerosol clouds emitted by the people from flowing unhindered into the room towards neighbouring rows of seats or drifting over to the classmate around the protective screen.
The protective effect of the innovative aerosol protective edge has been scientifically tested and confirmed. Depending on the width of the desk, the protective screen extends beyond the edge of the desk and is an effective barrier not only on the desk but also between pupils or people sitting comfortably. The protective screen is attached quickly and easily with a metal screw clamp and an adhesive strip. Both fastening elements are already included in the scope of delivery. The metal clamp can be flexibly adjusted to any tabletop thickness and, together with the adhesive strip, ensures a secure hold. The rounded corners provide extra safety and prevent children and young people from injuring themselves on sharp edges.
The appropriate size for every table
The protective screens are available in two sizes: SMALL is the right choice for primary school desks, MEDIUM is suitable for offices and desks in secondary schools.
Normality, how does that work?
Information for teachers and parents:
Everything has changed since COVID-19. We are faced with a different kind of everyday life. However, the longing for familiar normality persists. Are there solutions that can make school life more pleasant and uncomplicated again for everyone involved?
Click here to find out about a scientific protection concept for schools, which improves protection against the risk of infection and still simplifies everyday school life.
Do you need acrylic glass shields in other formats or shapes?
We are happy to offer you individual custom-made products on request. Contact us, we’ll find a suitable solution together:
Tel.: +49 2452 962-730 · E-mail: info@trotec.de
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Details
| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Article number | 4.311.000.100 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (packaging excluded) [mm] | 1,000 | |
| Height (packaging excluded) [mm] | 500 | |
| Tiefe (packaging excluded) [mm] | 69 | |
| Width (protective wall area) [mm] | 800 | |
| Height (protective wall area) [mm] | 500 | |
| Tiefe (protective wall area) [mm] | 69 | |
| Weight | ||
| (packaging excluded) [kg] | 11.5 | |
standard equipment
optionally available
not available
Table divider, medium
| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Article number | 4.311.000.105 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (packaging excluded) [mm] | 1,200 | |
| Height (packaging excluded) [mm] | 688 | |
| Tiefe (packaging excluded) [mm] | 69 | |
| Width (protective wall area) [mm] | 1,007 | |
| Height (protective wall area) [mm] | 688 | |
| Tiefe (protective wall area) [mm] | 69 | |
| Weight | ||
| (packaging excluded) [kg] | 12 | |
standard equipment
optionally available
not available
Table divider, office
| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Article number | 4.311.000.110 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (packaging excluded) [mm] | 1,158 | |
| Height (packaging excluded) [mm] | 688 | |
| Tiefe (packaging excluded) [mm] | 69 | |
| Weight | ||
| (packaging excluded) [kg] | 12 | |
standard equipment
optionally available
not available
Countertop, S
| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Article number | 4.311.000.150 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (packaging excluded) [mm] | 750 | |
| Height (packaging excluded) [mm] | 750 | |
| Tiefe (packaging excluded) [mm] | 250 | |
| Weight | ||
| (packaging excluded) [kg] | 11.5 | |
standard equipment
optionally available
not available
Countertop, M
| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Article number | 4.311.000.151 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (packaging excluded) [mm] | 795 | |
| Height (packaging excluded) [mm] | 750 | |
| Tiefe (packaging excluded) [mm] | 250 | |
| Weight | ||
| (packaging excluded) [kg] | 11.5 | |
standard equipment
optionally available
not available
Countertop, L
| Technical data | ||
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| Article number | 4.311.000.152 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Width (packaging excluded) [mm] | 995 | |
| Height (packaging excluded) [mm] | 750 | |
| Tiefe (packaging excluded) [mm] | 250 | |
| Weight | ||
| (packaging excluded) [kg] | 11.5 | |
standard equipment
optionally available
not available